The EntreLeadership Podcast

Hosted by Ken Coleman, the EntreLeadership Podcast features lively discussions and tips on leadership and business by some of the top minds in the business, like Mark Cuban, Seth Godin, Jim Collins and Simon Sinek.

From tackling the right reasons to lead and the danger of complacency to figuring out how and why to drive innovation, we’ve covered a lotof ground in 2018. So much, in fact, that it’s near impossible to pick a favorite episode. But guess what? You don’t have to! We’ve compiled a comprehensive roundup of the year’s episodes that did what the best ones always do: inform and inspire, change our perspective, and challenge us to stretch ourselves. Trust us, they’re well worth a second (or third!) listen.

The Rundown:After years spent traveling the globe working with top CEOs, world-renowned leadership coach and best-selling author Dr. Marshall Goldsmith has discovered a universal truth: We all make mistakes. Luckily, there are four behaviors you can adopt right now that can help put you on a more successful—and likely more profitable—leadership path.

Top Takeaway:Although Marshall’s advice is simple and straightforward, lasting change takes time—and some pretty major commitment and determination.

The Rundown:If you think being a leader is all about personal glory, fame and wealth, best-selling author and leadership expert Patrick Lencioni says you have it all wrong. Join us to hear Pat explain what he calls the only valid form of leadership, as well as the four things that only a leader can—and must—do.

Top Takeaway:As the leader, if you aren’t doing the hardest things, you aren’t doing your job.

Favorite Quote:“What we need to do is make it unacceptable for people to be leaders if they think it’s about them.” – Patrick Lencioni

The Rundown:In a world where we’re all constantly trying to craft experiences—like that of our customers, patients, users, you name it—New York Timesbest-selling author Dan Heath has figured out how to get it right. The science behind Dan’s four essential elements of experience is as fascinating as the results they elicit.

Top Takeaway:The most memorable moments usually don’t involve grand gestures or over-the-top gimmicks.

Favorite Quote:“In a minute, you can change someone’s life. That is a power that I think many of us are not aware that we have, and certainly aren’t using the way that we can.” – Dan Heath

The Rundown:Ever since taking over his family’s business at age 25, Charles Koch has been guided by a singular mantra: Success is one of the biggest enemies of success. Tune in as Charles explains why complacency is never an option and what you need to do to outpace your competition.

Top Takeaway:We all need to be lifelong learners, always striving to find new ways to deliver unparalleled value for our customers.

Favorite Quote:“Our philosophy is however well we’re doing as individuals in our roles or as a business, it can be done better. You need to constantly be striving to improve.” – Charles Koch

The Rundown:In the age of automation and artificial intelligence, there is one skill that has yet to be replicated by a robot: persuasive communication. Best-selling author Carmine Gallo calls it theskill that makes you irreplaceable in business today. Join us to learn two easy ways to up your communication game.

The Rundown:Even if the odds are stacked against your next big idea—no budget, no time, no scope—you may be in a much better position than you think. Tune in to hear Bobby Gruenewald, Innovation Leader at Life.Church, explain why limited resources force you to become more creative and innovative.

Top Takeaway:Money is not always the solution to the problem. Surprisingly, an unlimited budget may actually limityour success.

The Rundown:If you ask New York Timesbest-selling author Charles Duhigg, many of the most innovative ideas today aren’t exactly original—and he’s got plenty of evidence to prove it. Join us as Charles breaks down the highly effective habits of creative people so you can learn how to drive innovation in your organization.

Top Takeaway:The most creative, ground-breaking solutions are often the result of bringing old solutions to new problems.

Favorite Quote:“When we give ourselves permission to take risks, to ignore convention, that’s when oftentimes we have our most creative ideas.” – Charles Duhigg

The Rundown:A self-proclaimed professional question asker, Ken Coleman—host of the EntreLeadership Podcast and The Ken Coleman Showon Sirius XM—has conducted hundreds of interviews and has concluded that most of us are in pursuit of the same thing: significance. Tune in as Ken walks us through his six-stage method of getting to what he calls the “sweet spot”: a pursuit that combines your greatest talent with your greatest passion. Now that’s what we call a dream job.

Top Takeaway:Asking questions (and lots of them!) is the secret to finding your path.

As we all begin to look forward to 2019, we couldn’t think of a better way to close out the year than by answering some questions from our listeners. Tune in as host Ken Coleman and Ramsey Solutions Senior Vice President Daniel Tardy talk about everything from career advancement and idea generation to dealing with failure. Who knows, we might just have the answer you’ve been looking for too.

When it comes to growing your career, marketing guru and best-selling author Seth Godin insists you have much more leverage than you think. Sure, it’s easy to blame a toxic environment, an unreasonable boss, or even not being in charge for your lack of advancement or personal development. But in reality, Seth explains, all of those things are just excuses. Tune in for his advice on how to overcome the obstacles you think are standing between you and your desired future. We’ll also share a lesson from Dave on why not making decisions—even the controversial ones—could cost you everything.

Twelve years ago, Wendy and Jay Papasan made a decision to get intentional about their shared goals, and they’ve never looked back. In fact, they are so passionate about casting a vision for their life that they now hold goal-setting retreats to teach other couples to do the same. Tune in to find out how this easy-to-do practice can change everything—it helped Wendy and Jay become net-worth millionaires in only 10 years—and how to do it yourself.

Millennials are now the largest demographic in the workforce, meaning one thing: They are here to stay. And the future of your business may very well depend on them, which is exactly why millennials were such a hot topic at EntreLeadership Master Series this fall in Nashville. Tune in to hear Ramsey Solutions leaders Sarah Sloyan, Jason Blake and Luke LeFevre answer attendees’ questions about how to successfully lead and motivate this new generation of workers, as well as how to navigate common challenges (entitlement issues, anyone?). If you lead millennials, this is a can’t-miss episode for sure.

In 2015, EntreLeadership held our first-ever Summit in Orlando with 400 attendees and a dream to empower every single one of them with top-notch content from some of the biggest names in leadership and business. And today, although the venue has changed and our audience has grown tremendously (we’re anticipating over 3,000 attendees in San Diego in 2019!), our dream remains the same. Tune in to hear some extraordinary moments with some of our all-time favorite speakers: Lou Holtz, Simon Sinek, Alan Mulally, Dave Ramsey, Patrick Lencioni, and John C. Maxwell. And get ready to get inspired.

We are so excited to share some of the highlights from last Friday’s EntreLeadership 1-Day event! Over 1,000 small-business owners and leaders from around the country gathered in Phoenix to learn all about navigating—and dominating—today’s increasingly complex, fast-paced marketplace. Join us to hear Ramsey Solutions’ own Chris Hogan explain why your first order of business has to be changing the way you think about leadership. Hint: If you think leadership has anything to do with a title, you need to tune in. We’ll also take you backstage with Dave Ramsey and EntreLeadership Vice President Sarah Sloyan as they answer a few questions from attendees.

Ok, not everyone can (or wants to!) go live in a monastery like self-made billionaire entrepreneur Jesse Itzler did, but we can all certainly reap the benefits of the powerful lessons he learned while there. Removed from the endless distractions of his daily life, Jesse quickly realized that he was losing one of his greatest skills: thinking. If you too aren’t regularly spending time in thought, consider yourself warned. You’re headed straight toward burnout. Join us as Jesse shares how to avoid just that—and even gain more energy in the process.

If you think being a leader is all about personal glory, fame and wealth, best-selling author and leadership expert Patrick Lencioni says you have it all wrong. Join us to hear Pat explain what he calls the only valid form of leadership, as well as the four things that only a leader can—and must—do. Also joining us is Ramsey Solutions Senior Vice President, Daniel Tardy, to answer team-related questions from two All Access members. As Dave likes to say, “Business is easy until people get involved!”

We are so excited to share a highlight from this month’s EntreLeadership Master Series. Over 300 small-business owners and leaders from around country joined us in Nashville to spend four intense (but fun-filled!) days pouring into themselves and their business. Tune in to hear Dave Ramsey and Ramsey Solutions Senior Vice President Daniel Tardy answer attendees’ questions on everything from dealing with the emotional aftermath of firing a team member to working with millennials. It’s can’t-miss content, for sure.

When charity: water founder and CEO Scott Harrison set out to solve the global water crisis, he knew he couldn’t do it alone. To that end, he it made it his number one priority to connect with the consumer in an authentic way—and it paid off, big time. Twelve years later, charity: water has brought clean water to over eight million people in 26 countries, thanks to the charitable contribution of a growing tribe of supporters. But Scott is just getting started. Tune in to hear the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way, as well as how he’s driving growth by continuing to pivot his fundraising efforts.

No matter where you’re trying to take your business, clinical psychologist and leadership expert Dr. Henry Cloud says you can’t get there without one thing: vision. It’s that vision—something the best-selling author likes to call a desired future state--that dictates every single action you take, as well as who you need on your team. Tune in as Dr. Cloud gives an overview of five practical and effective steps to help you reach your next big goal. Also joining us is Blake Thompson, Executive Producer of Ramsey Solutions Media, who shares why and how a unified goal rallies the entire team.

Even if you feel like the odds are stacked against your next big idea—no budget, no time, no scope—you may be in a much better position than you think. According to Bobby Gruenewald, Innovation Leader at Life.Church, the more limited your resources, the more creative and innovative you have to be. Tune in as Bobby shares his story of bringing the first-ever Bible app YouVersion to life as well as the lessons he learned along the way.

If you ask New York Times best-selling author Charles Duhigg, many of the most innovative ideas today aren’t exactly original—and he’s got plenty of evidence to prove it. Instead, the most creative, ground-breaking solutions are often the result of bringing old solutions to new problems. And ignoring conventional wisdom, he says, is a huge part of that process. Join us as Charles breaks down the highly effective habits of creative people so you can learn how to drive innovation in your own organization.

When your business is on the growth track—think more locations, more customers, more payroll—it’s easy to forget that with growth comes new challenges. And, as author Dr. John Hillen warns, a blind spot will quickly turn into a full-blown crisis if you’re not adapting your leadership along the way. Tune in as John shares common signs of trouble and, better yet, exactly what to do to avoid it altogether. Also joining us is Ramsey Solutions Senior Vice President Daniel Tardy and EntreLeadership Vice President Sarah Sloyan to talk about the importance of replacing yourself as your organization gets bigger.

In the age of automation and artificial intelligence, there is one skill that has yet to be replicated by a robot: persuasive communication. Best-selling author Carmine Gallo calls it the fundamental skill needed to increase your personal value by as much as 50%. In fact, he says it’s so powerful that mastering it will make you irreplaceable in business today. Tune in as Carmine shares two easy ways to up your own communication game.

With only a 50% success rate, hiring is widely considered one of the single biggest problems in business today. But get it right and it can become your greatest opportunity for success, says New York Timesbest-selling author Dr. Geoff Smart. For starters, you will save time and money (on average, to the tune of $1.5 million or more a year!). Also, you’ll likely be able to grow your business and in turn, your profits. Join us as Geoff, who is also the chairman and founder of the leadership consulting firm gh.SMART, shares his simple four-step hiring method that works 90% of the time. Now those are odds we can get behind. And don’t miss host Ken Coleman’s rant on a recent Wall Street Journalarticle on an intriguing hiring trend!

It’s no secret that being a Navy SEAL requires acute mental toughness, emotional resilience, and an uncanny ability to perform under pressure. What you may not realize, however, says ex-Navy Commander and SEALFIT founder Mark Divine, is that those same qualities give you a sizeable advantage in the business world as well. Tune in as Mark shares insight on how to train your mind to successfully navigate an increasingly complex and volatile marketplace. Also joining us is Magnus Johnson, founder of Mission 22, to discuss the remarkable power of leading by example and the benefit of letting your team members fail.

Leadership and financial expert and Ramsey Solutions’ own Chris Hogan has good news and bad news. The good news? Small businesses have become the backbone of the American economy, driving economic growth through job creation, innovation, and community development. And the bad? Starting a business is easy, but running one is a completely different proposition. That’s where EntreLeadership Master Series comes in. Tune in as Chris explains how this four-day deep dive into the intricacies of operating a business—or as he likes to call it, a PhD in leadership—can completely transform your business. Also joining us is an EntreLeadership event alumnus, who after attending Master Series grew his visual effects business from two team members to over 100 across offices in Boston and Los Angeles. And that was just the beginning of his EntreLeadership journey. You’ll never guess what happened next!

If you think a great idea is all it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, best-selling author and Princeton professor Derek Lidow says you might want to think twice about starting your own business. However, if you follow his advice and start by honestly determining whyyou want to be an entrepreneur, your chances of success dramatically increase. It also doesn’t hurt to look to some of the all-time greats for inspiration. Tune in as Derek shares what Sam Walton and Walt Disney did right (and wrong), as well as ways to win in your own endeavors. Also joining us is Ramsey Solutions Executive Vice President Brian Williams to share his thoughts on leading teams well. Trust us, after heading up four different teams in three years, he has a wealth of insight.

Michael Wystrach, CEO and co-founder of Freshly, insists that the best businesses are built by those who, first and foremost, are passionate about finding a solution to an unsolved problem. And based on the success of his all-natural, chef-cooked meal delivery service, he’s 100% right. In less than three years, Freshly has become a standout in the $1.2 trillion food industry and attracted heavyweight investors like Nestlé. Tune in as Michael talks about the necessity of passion, why the best marketing platform is always your product, and his mission to change the world one meal at a time. Ramsey Solutions’ senior vice president also joins us with All Access member Dathan to offer counsel and tactics for getting his business back on track.

Talent, skill, and an unparalleled work ethic may seem like a guaranteed recipe for success, but Molly Fletcher—acclaimed motivational speaker, author, and former sports agent—has seen fear undermine it all. Tune in as Molly explains how a positive mindset can be a total game-changer, unlocking boundless potential and unforeseen opportunities for growth. Better yet, she offers powerful advice on making this shift in your own life. Also joining us is Dave Ramsey, who shares why fear is such a dangerous thing and suggests ways to escape its manipulative grip.

In order to move your business forward, GE Business Innovations chief marketing officer Dara Treseder knows you have to first identify two things: where you are in the market and where you’d like to be. It’s in this space, which she calls the growth gap, that innovation is not only important but absolutely essential. Join us as Dara shares why partnerships are a game-changer (and ways to evaluate the best one for your venture), as well as what every marketing campaign needs to resonate in today’s competitive landscape. We’ll also share Dave Ramsey’s thoughts on market disruption and detail the three things you must avoid in order to survive.

While it may not be possible to eliminate all the daily distractions (we’re looking at you, 24/7 emails, social media notifications, and nonstop text messages!) in our lives, best-selling author Curt Steinhorst says we can all become measurably more focused by being intentional about what we pay attention to. Tune in as Curt details the four elements that affect your focus and offers solutions that can boost productivity, efficiency and, ultimately, your bottom line. Ramsey Solutions Senior Vice President Daniel Tardy and Ramsey Personality Christy Wright also join us to discuss simple ways to handle everyday distractions.

The path to success is seldom entirely smooth, but venture capitalist Carter Cast says that shouldn’t derail your career—if, that is, you learn how to recognize your blind spots. Tune in as Carter, who is also an award-winning clinical professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, details the personality traits of the five archetypes found in every workplace. With a little self-awareness, you can easily identify which archetype you are so that you can maximize your strengthsandimprove upon your weaknesses to keep your career on track. EntreLeadership Vice President Sarah Sloyan also joins us for a candid conversation about ways she works to overcome her own personal limitations and offers tactical advice for helping team members do the same.